The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken a serious view of lapses in student safety measures and directed authorities across the state to ensure the installation and proper functioning of CCTV cameras in school buses under the government's "Surakshit School Vahan Policy".
Suo Motu Case on Corporal Punishment
Hearing a suo motu case linked to an alleged corporal punishment incident at a school in Nuh district, the commission expressed concern over contradictory reports submitted by the school management and the district education officer regarding CCTV facilities in school buses and on campus.
Discrepancies in CCTV Reports
The Bench, comprising Justice Lalit Batra, Kuldip Jain, and Deep Bhatia, observed that during inspection, only two buses were found on the campus. One of these buses lacked a CCTV camera, while the other had a camera whose functionality and recording status could not be verified. However, the school management claimed that all six buses were fitted with CCTV cameras and that recordings were preserved.
Fresh Inspection Ordered
Dissatisfied with the discrepancies, the commission ordered a fresh inspection of all school buses, classrooms, and key areas of the institution to verify the status of surveillance systems. The HHRC also directed the Superintendent of Police, Nuh, to re-examine the alleged assault case involving a seven-year-old Class III student who was reportedly beaten by a teacher in August 2025.
Joint Responsibility for Student Safety
Reiterating that student safety is a joint responsibility of schools and the administration, the commission instructed district and sub-divisional committees across Haryana to conduct regular inspections of school vehicles. These committees are required to submit compliance reports before the next hearing, which is scheduled for July 30, 2026.
